11 h. ago ‘She had no interest in the comfort zone’: celebrating the centenary of Celia Cruz, Cuba’s Queen of Salsa

Exiled from Castro’s Cuba, she became a superstar – and a trailblazer in the macho world of salsa. Fans and collaborators including Angélique Kidjo hail an icon of Black empowermentOn 13 November 1973, at Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Puerto Rico, Celia Cruz took to the stage in a bejewelled, psychedelic blue dress and vast afro, saluting the 12,500-capacity arena with her trademark rallying cry: “Azucar!” – sugar.The Cuban singer had been a star for more than two decades by this point, but this concert marked a rebirth. Backed by the Fania All-Stars, the in-house orquesta of the label that brought salsa to the US, Cruz performed Bemba Colorá. Devotees have variously decoded its lyric and “big red lips” metaphor as a repudiation of a neighbourhood gossip, a commentary on anti-Black racism or an anthem for female empowerment. Stretched out to a righteous 12-minute call-and-response in Puerto Rico, she recast the song as a cry of anguish over her exile from her homeland, adding lines l...

Politics

21 h. ago BBC EastEnders favourite makes surprise comeback for Sonia's final episode but it's not Carol

EastEnders said goodbye to one of it's longest-running cast members, Natalie Cassidy.

Politics

7 d. ago Kids TV icon in surprise comeback after retiring over heart attack on stage

An iconic kids TV star has returned to the stage following a heart attack which almost led to his death a few years ago while he was in front of an audience

Events

8 d. ago Sergio Aguero scores on debut for new team with Man City legend updating fans on health

Manchester City icon Sergio Aguero has given an update on his health after the legendary striker took to the pitch once again after having to retire in 2021 due to a heart condition

Sport

8 d. ago Sergio Aguero issues health update after Man City icon scores on return to the pitch

Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero has given an update on his health after the iconic striker took to the pitch once again after being forced to retire in 2021 due to a heart condition

Politics

3 w. ago Sekou Kone inspires impressive Manchester United comeback as surprise inclusion also scores

Man United's Under-21s fought back from 2-0 to draw 2-2 with Leeds United in the Premier League 2 on Friday afternoon.

Sport

3 w. ago Cheltenham Festival hero Langer Dan retired after 'unexplainable heart problem' emerges

Langer Dan famously came to life at the Cheltenham Festival in March, winning the Coral Cup in 2021 and 2022 - but he has now been forced to retire after an issue emerged

Politics

3 w. ago Cheltenham Festival fan favourite Langer Dan retired with ‘unexplainable heart problem’

Langer Dan, trained by Dan Skelton, came alive at Cheltenham in March to win two editions of the Coral Cup but was a late non-runner from the Stayers' Hurdle this year

Politics

3 w. ago Grab your logo sweatshirt – Gap is making a surprise fashion comeback

Dresses from 90s brand grace red carpet after rough patch in which brand closed stores and broke tie with Kanye WestThis year’s awards season brought a surprise fashion comeback: Gap. Everyone from Timothée Chalamet and Demi Moore to Cynthia Erivo and Anne Hathaway has worn the US high-street brand on the red carpet in the past year, and this month parent company Gap Inc released its most recent financial results – with sales up 7%.Joy Montgomery, commerce editor at Vogue, describes Hathaway’s decision to wear a luxe version of a white shirt dress later sold in store, which the actor wore to a Bulgari event last year – as “a moment that the fashion world sat up and realised that something was changing”. Continue reading...

Politics

last month What is brain rot and how is mindlessly scrolling on social media impacting your mental health?

TikTok inspires 19th century term’s surprising comeback

Science